Action Research Consultant for the Campaign Influencing Gender Norms in the Time of COVID-19 (INT7450)-Philippines – Manila

Philippine Nationals Only

 

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered health and economic crises globally. Restrictions aimed at flattening the curve has crippled economies and caused the shutdown even of well-established businesses worldwide.
In the Philippines, the GDP dropped by a staggering 16.5% as the government focuses on flattening the curve. Lives have been put on indefinite hold by quarantine measures. Those who still had jobs had to work from home and children had to adapt to alternative learning modalities. Homes now function as workplaces, classrooms, even as restaurants and entertainment venues. The service, retail and hospitality industries which are most affected by the lockdown and restrictions caused by the pandemic have high concentrations of female employment.
Investing in Women (IW), an initiative of the Australian Government, reports that six out of ten families have lost all or most of its income because of suspended jobs, reduced hours and pay, or forced unpaid leaves. IW’s report is evidence of the negative impact of the pandemic on the mental and physical health of members of the household as many take on increased child and elderly care, household responsibilities and unduly burdened by financial worries.

The COVID-19 pandemic data and stories highlighting the intensification of pre-existing inequitable gender division of labor abound. A Rapid Gender Assessment (RGA) of the pandemic done by Oxfam, UN Women and Plan shows 44% reported an increase in intensity of care work at home. Of this figure, 68% were women who said they spent more than five hours a day doing unpaid care work (UCW).
Males shared care and domestic responsibilities during the pandemic but the RGA notes that such behavior may not necessarily mean a shift in beliefs and attitudes on UCW. Even during the pandemic, women continue to bear the burdens of care work disproportionately as many of them also assume roles as community or volunteer local health workers.
Available data and persistent belief that men are the primary breadwinners and women are better at UCW all point to the disproportionate burdens that women face in these difficult times. It is also indicative of the urgent need to recognize the intricate links between economic crisis and gender division of labor; as well as the economic importance of valuing unpaid care and domestic work to the same level and degree as productive and paid labor in the formal economy. Only when these are considered important factors in the country’s post pandemic response will genuine economic recovery be realized.

This campaign influencing gender norms in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic is fully aligned with past and current Oxfam’s projects and initiatives, and to the firm commitment of advancing gender justice and resilience as a cross-cutting approach to end poverty. Oxfam delivers to this commitment by challenging inequality, changing structures, norms and values that are central to advancing women’s access to resources and information; enhancing women’s ability to organize and meaningfully participate in decision-making; ending gender-based violence; and promoting gender equality in humanitarian emergency responses.

It believes that behavior change is possible through practice and the act of doing. This influencing campaign on challenging gender norms in the time of the pandemic is informed by the Positive Deviant Approach which assumes that communities have the expertise and resources to define and identify solutions to communal problems. The campaign builds on the collective intelligence within these communities and enables them to discover ways of solving their own problems by drawing out and highlighting positive deviant practices.

By the end of this campaign, the following are expected activities:

1. Positive shifts in gender norms are promoted by a community of local influencers;
2. Unique practices and positive deviance among urban millennial men and women, that is, those born between the years 1981 to 1996 residing in urban areas and working in the formal sector who challenge traditional thinking on UCW and breadwinning are highlighted; and,
3. Discussions and debates on the impact of COVID-19 on gender norms, shared UCW and breadwinning responsibilities among various stakeholders and key actors and millennial workers in the formal sector are initiated.

This campaign seeks to create a positive shift in gender norms which currently restrict women’s significant participation in the formal economy, either as employees or as entrepreneurs. The strategy and focus of this influencing campaign will be on challenging gender norms among urban millennials employed in the formal sector, specifically those employed in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

The intended outcomes of this influencing campaign are:

(1) Sustain community-led (community of millennials and influencers) inquiry and advocacy for positive gender norms particularly around UCW and women’s breadwinning in the time of COVID-19;

(2) Institutional partners and advocates identifying and leveraging solutions and recommendations around shared care work and breadwinning among urban millennials in the formal sector

Ultimately, the final outcome of this influencing campaign is for decision-makers to consider solutions and recommendations in promoting/supporting UCW and women’s breadwinning among young workers in the formal sector towards genuine economic recovery from the negative effects of COVID-19.

Objectives for the consultancy

The objective of this consultancy is to design and carry out the action research outlined above using mixed methods and inclusive inquiry approaches into the gender norms of: (1) Filipino urban millennials currently employed in the formal sector; and (2) Private and public institutions and other stakeholders in order to address their issues.

Key Deliverables

The consultant shall, by the end of this engagement, deliver the following outputs:

1. Baseline data needed to inform the social media strategies of the campaign.

2. Initial case studies on early adopters among decision-makers in terms of policies and workplace arrangements to promote more shared care work and women’s breadwinning among urban millennials in the formal sectors.

3. Final baseline study report which will not be more than twenty (20) pages (not including the annexes), and will follow the following report outline:

a. Background on the project/campaign (1 page)

b. Research framework (3 pages)
i. Objectives of the study
ii. Research methods and sampling
iii. Research limitations

c. Key findings (14 pages)
i. Urban millennials’ (in BPO sector) views and attitudes on:

1. Shared care work and women’s breadwinning
2. Challenges and coping strategies during the pandemic
3. Influencing others on positive gender norms
4. Enabling workplace for practice of positive gender norms

ii. Early adopters of enabling policies and workplace arrangements
1. Policies, programs, and other initiatives
2. Gaps and coping with the pandemic
3. Contributing to campaign on positive gender norms

d. Recommendations (2 pages)
i. Design and strategies for the influencing campaign
ii. Inputs to community- and partnership-building efforts
iii. Future research and learning

Annexes

Qualifications:

Candidates for the proposed consultancy should be able to submit evidence that they meet the following minimum criteria:

1. Background or experience in community development, gender and development and qualitative and quantitative research methods;

2. Knowledge or and/or familiarity with partnership-based responsive approach to project development, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning;

3. Wide experience in facilitating inclusive and gender-sensitive processes, both online and offline/face-to-face, with various sectors and groups;

4. Excellent skills in written communication for a broad range of audience; and,

5. Able to work in teams, handle feedback, and deliver timely outputs

Period of Engagement:   May 01, 2021 until May 31, 2021

How to apply?

All interested applicants should submit their CVs and expression of interest (EOI) and indicate your proposed budget not later than 28 April 2021 to Oxfam Philippines.

Relevant documents should be emailed to: [email protected].

Other Responsibilities

• Adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values as well as the promotion of gender justice and women’s rights.
• Perform priority organizational tasks related to his/her competencies as may be assigned from time to time.

Organizational Values:

• Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions
• Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen
• Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

Note: All offers of consultancy will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

In response to Covid-19 if you are offered a role where you are required to travel between countries please ensure you have been briefed by the Hiring Manager about any changes to working or precautions you should take as part of your role.